January 20th, 2009 
T.C. After a light edition last week, we are back this Wednesday with another full plate of questions for “Ask The Insiders.” In case you don’t know what this is, we will be answering any and all questions every Wednesday until at least Daytona comes around. So if you’ve got one, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send one to us. On to the questions…
1. From Amy:
This is directed towards TC. Without giving anonymity away of course, what is the oddest question a fan has ever asked you at a track?
I don’t have one question that stands out in my mind as one where I thought “wow, that was really strange.” What happens, is that I end up getting asked the same questions a lot. You always get these: How do the lugnuts stay on there? Where do you keep spare lugs? Why do you paint the lugs? How heavy are the tires? Etc. That was partially why we started this site. We wanted to give people a place where they could learn the ins and outs of the sport and ask questions without worrying they were stupid. -T.C.
2. From Ted:
Does a team have to commit to run the full season to receive a guaranteed spot for the Daytona 500? GEM (#10), DEI/Ganassi (#8 or #41), and Bill Davis (#22) all have a guaranteed spot, yet their long term prospects are really perilous at best.
A team does not have to commit to running the full season. Even if a team starts out with intentions to run the full 36 race schedule, it doesn’t always work out that way anyway (see Dario Franchitti). Being in the top 35 in owners points from the previous year guarantees those teams entry into the first five races of the next season regardless. -T.C.
3. From Amy:
Should we be worried that Ryan Newman is only sponsored for half a season, or do you think that Stewart-Haas racing is waiting until Daytona to announce the second sponsor?
I wouldn’t be too worried. The Army deal is for 22 races and that buys the organization some time if they can’t find anything before the season starts. It is certainly a lot easier to sell 14 races than it is to sell 36. If they haven’t gotten something secured quite yet, I’m sure they will before they hit crunch time. – Journo
4. From Kenny:
What happens to a driver as he gets older? I’m wondering if the reason a driver — like Ken Schrader – is less likely to get a good ride (or get a Cup ride at all) is due more to marketing rather than loss of ability due to aging. Isn’t an older driver likely to be a better driver? Yes, he might be less likely to do reckless things which might appeal to the younger demographic, but also isn’t he likely to keep his ride in the entire race and be running at the end? Mark Martin seems to be the big exception.
I think the marketing aspect is part of the reason some older drivers have struggled to find opportunities. But whether they will admit it or not, they do lose some of their ability. As they get older, many will be less likely to take chances (because they know how hard that wall is), and the speed of reflexes is lost. Racing is no different then other sports. Older players are usually smarter, but their bodies just won’t do what they once could. -T.C.
5. From Justin:
Are teams able to save and sell the gas they use on race weekends? Could a s&p team fill their car up before the race, fill up 2 cans of gas, then load their car and the gas in the cans back into the hauler and sell it? It’s gotta be worth something, and I could see the s&p teams doing it.
Teams are provided fuel at the track for races by Sunoco for no extra fee. Technically, teams are supposed to dump any extra fuel left over after the race. That doesn’t always happen, but teams are not selling it. They are using it for other reasons. Obviously the fuel left in the race car after a race doesn’t need to be dumped. So since teams get fuel for free anyway, attempting to sell it doesn’t really make sense, unless they are going to sell it to people outside of racing. And to be honest, I’ve never really heard of that. -T.C.
6. From Ron:
I have been watching NASCAR for over 30 years now and I must tell you that i have lost my interest in the sport. I now find the races boring and the cars no longer have any identity. They all look the same except the decals. I miss the days of Richard Petty’s Charger, David Pearson’s Torino, Harry Gant’s Skoal Bandit, Dale Earnhart’s Monte Carlo, Bill Elliott’s Thunderbird and on and on. My question is, do you think they will ever return to the idea that they are racing stock cars, not modifieds and put the onus on the manufacturers to make the cars competitive like in the past?
I don’t think NASCAR will return back to what we knew as “stock car racing.” In fact I think as we progress over the next couple of seasons we will see even less manufacturer support for obvious reasons. I think the safety that the COT has brought to the sport has been great, but I certainly understand the problems people have with the performance and lack of identity. Beyond the stickers I think we will ultimately see more equipment parity. That may help competition though as more teams will stand on equal footing. - Journo
7. From Savannah:
Do you think that we will see more time spent on the track during practice and happy hour by the drivers at each race since NASCAR has banned testing? What information will new teams, or new driver/ crew chief combos, use to set their cars up for each racetrack? There have been many drivers switching this year to teams that might not have had the best data from years past. Do you think that this may affect Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman with their new teams?
You will definitely see teams attempt to be more productive and more efficient during practice sessions to maximize the amount of info gained. The teams will now rely on whatever information they have acquired over the last season and a few races with the COT to put together baseline setups, then work from there. Teams with bad info will just be at a disadvantage. I think Stewart-Haas will be fine though, as you can bet they will be getting substantial help from Hendrick. -T.C.
8. From Neon:
Always wondered why NASCAR never adopted the victory podium for the Winner, 2nd and 3rd place like all other forms of motorsports. I think victory circle has become lame and boring. TC or Journo, do you have any history on this or just an opinion?
You know I honestly have no idea. It might be kind of cool to have a podium instead of victory circle though. Today more than anything it has turned into a place where you take pictures and sponsors get plugged. It certainly has become a little played out. I agree with you, not too exciting. – Journo
9. From Jeremy:
Got a question. The Memphis track is trying to get Dale JR to drive at their Nationwide race by offering him free ribs for life. Is their any NASCAR rule that precludes paying appearance fees? I could definitly see where it might make sense for a standalone Nationwide or Truck race to pay for a Sprint Cup driver to be in their race.
Not that I’m aware of. I know of small short tracks doing this, paying an appearance fee to get famous drivers out to their Friday night shows, but I can’t think of this happening in the Nationwide or Truck series. I feel like this might not be too worthwhile because whoever paid the fee would want to know they were making their money back and depending on the driver, I’m not sure they would be able to. But if someone wanted to I don’t think they would barred from doing so. – Journo
And that brings yet another “Ask The Insiders Wednesday” to a close. Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. And remember, if you’d like to be a part of next week, click on the ”Ask the Insiders” tab at the top of the page and send your question in!
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